Top Dog (2014) Movie Review Summary

Actors:Vincent Regan, Leo Gregory, Leila Wong, Ricci Harnett

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Top Dog (2014)

This is a crime story, where the lead character believes real leaders are defined by the way they act in the face of challenges, no matter what the consequences. Leo Gregory plays the lead character of Billy. He is a gang leader of sport hooligans in London. He sees gangster punks in a Chinese take-out restaurant harassing the woman behind the counter. He stands up to them, grabs the loudest one and throws him through the window. Then he gives enough money to the counter clerk to pay for the broken window, takes his food order, and leaves.

Billy goes to visit his old friends, who own a pub. They have to pay 250 pounds each week for protection money. Billy moves his gang headquarters to the pub with plans to protect them. His gang of the “Acting Casuals” agrees to take on the other mob gang of real criminals. They invite the other mob gang to the pub to go upstairs. Three gang members come. Billy has a room full of men. He tells the other gang to leave them alone or he will go to war with them. The three men of the opposing gang leave.

Billy goes home to be with his family of his wife and son. The rival gang comes back to smash up the pub and injures the husband and wife, who are the owners. Billy retaliates by attacking a major men's club bar and a nightclub of the rival gang. Billy's gang breaks up both places, attacks all the customers and beats the crap out of all the rival gang members. They even attack the club where the rival gang leader Mickey (played by Ricci Harnett) is hanging out. Afterwards, the next day, Mickey's mafia boss tells him to stop the war before it gets worse.

Billy partners with his friend Graham (played by George Russo) to set up a security company to protect car dealerships. It is a legit business using video surveillance cameras and the latest technology to protect the customers who own the auto dealerships. Mickey threatens Billy again by sending flowers to the wife of his business partner Graham, which include a card saying “See you soon.” Billy assembles his gang to give another warning to the rival gang with another attack.

They steal the car of the rival gang boss, then they have a massive brawl in the streets between dozens of men from each side. Billy's gang defeats the rival gang. Billy personally smashes the windows and destroys the car of the rival gang leader. Billy sends a photo of the smashed up car to the rival gang leader Mickey.

Graham's wife goes into labor. Shes calls her husband Graham. On the way to his home, Graham is attacked by rival gang members. They beat him unconscious, and throw him into the river to drown. While Graham's wife gives birth at home with the help of paramedics, a passerby sees Graham in the river and calls the emergency rescue which takes Graham to the hospital. Graham survives, but ends up in intensive care. Billy comes to the hospital to see him. Graham confirms it was the rival gang leader Mickey's boys who beat him. Graham dies in the hospital.

Billy's gang talks about getting revenge. They argue over what to do. Billy and his wife Sam (played by Dannielle Brent) argue. Mickey calls a meeting with Billy. They threaten each other. Billy's best friend Graham is buried, but Billy is told by Graham's wife not to come to the funeral. Billy gets a unregistered car to run Mickey over. He kills Mickey by running him down with the car. The mafia boss of Mickey (played by Vincent Regan), comes looking for Billy. They kidnap Billy's wife and son. They call Billy to tell him to meet them. Billy digs up a gun he has hidden in the backyard of his house. The police arrive at this moment to arrest Billy at his house. Billy escapes the police to come to the meeting place where the mafia gang is holding his wife and son hostage.

Billy is captured by the mafia gang. His son is let go, but they still have his wife as a hostage. The police realize where Billy is, when they find his car parked into front. They send a team of police to raid the building. The mafia boss shoots Billy's wife, killing her. Right afterwards, the police rush in to arrest everybody.
Best part of story, including ending:
I like the fighting action in this movie because it is about brawling between the rival gangs and not so much about guns since it is set in London where there are fewer weapons.

Best scene in story:
The scene where Billy runs Mickey over with the car is very dramatic. The slang for the car used as a murder weapon is a “mower” which is also interesting.

Opinion about the main character:
The lead character Billy is really a loser in the end. Even though he tries to become “top dog”, he fails.